6. Control your breathing

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As the bar descends, ensure that your shoulder blades remain protracted as you will want your pectorals to be fully stretched to encourage better nerve recruitment and explosive elasticity. Inhale during the eccentric phase, and if you do not suffer from high blood pressure or any other cardiovascular impairment, then you may want to practice the valsava manoeuvre during your low rep high weight lifts.

The valsava manoeuvre is when a person increases internal pressure along the rib cage by holding their breath during the concentric phase of a movement. Do this with caution, though, as it isn’t necessarily the healthiest method in the world — but no one said lifting big weights was for wusses.